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Internet screening move hits hurdle

A headline-grabbing election promise to crack down on internet
nasties looks to be in trouble as Senate opposition grows.

As part of its election-winning pitch, the Rudd Government
promised families far-reaching measures to block prohibited content
at the internet server level. It now faces a concerted backlash
against the proposal by the internet industry.

The Greens have added their voice to Coalition concerns about
the plan, with the Greens' communications spokesman calling the
proposal "daft".

If the Liberals block legislation imposing server-level
filtering, the Government will need the support of the Greens,
Family First senator Steve Fielding and South Australian senator
Nick Xenophon.

Greens communications spokesman Scott Ludlam told The Age
yesterday that he was concerned the Government was trying to
implement a policy that was technically difficult and very
expensive for taxpayers.

The industry says mandatory filtering by internet service
providers - as distinct from a "net nanny" that families can put on
their own computers - will slow internet speeds significantly.

Senator Ludlam said server-level filtering imposed a kind of
censorship that "runs counter to what the internet is all about".
The Government would be better investing the filtering money in law
enforcement and education.

"I think it's really quite misguided," Senator Ludlam said.

Senator Fielding has signalled he wants a range of material
blocked, including hard-core pornography and fetish material.
Senator Xenophon has indicated he wants access to offshore gaming
sites restricted.

The Government is still a way from producing legislation to
effect its policy, but indications are that it will be difficult to
achieve consensus in the Senate.

An industry trial of various technologies will come before any
legislation.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has launched a strong
defence of the policy, hitting back at claims by the internet
industry that the Government wants a sweeping ban on controversial
content.

"I will accept some debate around what should and should not be
on the internet - I am not a wowser," Senator Conroy told The Age.
"I am not looking to blanket-ban some of the material that it is
being claimed I want to blanket-ban, but some material online, such
as child pornography, is illegal."

In response to arguments that the proposal would affect basic
civil liberties and the principle that households should be able to
be their own internet policeman, he said: "We are not trying to
build the Great Wall of China.

"We are not trying to be Saudi Arabia, and to say that is to
simply misrepresent the Government's position."